As part of the Innovative Scheme project supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, ICRISAT has successfully established a Microbial Culture Unit in Chandanpur village, Puri district. This initiative aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices through the production and application of beneficial microbes, enhancing soil health and productivity for smallholder farmers.
A delegation from ICRISAT, including Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research & Innovation at ICRISAT, and Dr Rebbie Harawa, Global Research Program Director, Resilient Farm and Food Systems & Director – Africa reviewed the facility’s operations and progress on 12 August 2025. They were joined by Dr Subhranshu Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha. The delegation interacted with local Self-Help Group (SHG) members actively engaged in managing the unit, and are being trained to produce microbial inputs locally.
The visit highlighted the project’s commitment to community-led agricultural innovation and capacity building and the importance of partnerships between scientific institutions and government bodies. The Microbial Culture Unit stands as a model of localized bio-input production, empowering rural communities and contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Odisha.
